Ultimate Beauty Tool: 7 Ways to Use Q-Tips

Personally, I am Q-tip obsessed. I go through a ton of them weekly (love the family pack!) and I always pack a stash of the travel size swabs in my purse. Basically, they're my go-to beauty tool for well, everything from cleaning out my ears (duh) to concealing my roots. Here are my top seven favorite cotton swab uses:

1. Depuff eyesPlace a plastic freezer bag with cotton swabs that have been dampened with water or dipped in eye cream in the refrigerator. If you wake up puffy, a gentle roll under the eye will instantly get rid of puffiness.

2. Lock-in lipstickKeep lip color from bleeding by using Q-tips to apply loose translucent powder along the outer edge of the lips.

3. Remove makeupIt’s perfect for removing the gunk that builds in the inner corners of your eyes without ruining your makeup. I love to keep Q-tips soaked in makeup remover in a small Ziploc bag for touch ups throughout the day.

4. Beef-up lashesTo help thicken lashes and keep mascara lasting all night long, sandwich a dusting of powder between two coats of mascara. First apply one coat of mascara, then dip a cotton swab in translucent powder and sweep over lashes. Shake off any excess powder and cover with a second coat of mascara.

5. Replace brushesUse them in a pinch or on-the-go in place of makeup brushes. Genius tip: “Roll” cotton swabs in your favorite eye shadow and store in a plastic wrap for touch-ups.

7. Apply falsiesStart by applying a dab of lash adhesive to the tip; wait about thirty seconds until the glue is tacky (this is key) then lay the strip on top of your lashes, as close to the roots as possible. Use the side of a cotton swab to keep lashes in place while glue dries, and top off with a coat of mascara.